Freddie Freeman will always be known as an Atlanta Braves legend. Freeman signed with the Braves as a 17-year-old out of El Modena high school and debuted with the Braves just three years later. Today, we take a look at Freddie’s journey through the Atlanta Braves’ system, his MLB debut, and his first hit!
Read about Freddie’s time and impact on El Modena High School here!
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Where did Freddie Freeman go to college?
After winning the Orange County Register’s 2007 Player of the Year Award, Freeman signed a letter of intent with Cal State Fullerton. However, he was drafted in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft with the 78th pick. Freeman opted to take the $409,500 from the Braves and begin his professional career rather than accept his Cal State Fullerton scholarship.
The decision to go pro instead of college worked out very well for Freddie Freeman as he debuted with the Braves in the Major Leagues just three years later at the age of 20.
Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman in the Minor Leagues
2007 – First Taste
Freeman debuted later that same year (2007) at 17 years old in the Gulf Coast League. He played in 59 games and slugged six homers and 30 RBI with a .268 average. His .295 OBP and .380 SLG were a departure from his high school numbers, but he played well for a 17-year-old getting his first taste of professional action.
2008 – Rome Braves (A)
In 2008, He played 130 games with the Class-A Rome Braves. Freddie’s bat shined over a full season hitting .316 with a .378 OBP, and a .521 SLG. Freddie’s .316 batting average was second only to fellow future Braves star Jason Heyward on that Rome team. Freddie led Rome in doubles (33), triple (7), RBI (95), and games played (130). Freeman also led the team in OPS (excluding two guys who had a combined 58 PAs) with an .899 mark. Heyward and Freeman were the only two 18-year-olds on the team that year.
2009 – Myrtle Beach (A+), Mississippi (AA)
Despite jumping straight from high school into A-Ball, Freeman earned recognition as the 80th-ranked overall prospect by Baseball Prospectus prior to the 2009 season.
Freddie Freeman started the season with High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2009. He found himself teammates with Jason Heyward once again.
Freeman played 70 games with the Pelicans posting an .841 OPS. Freeman slashed .302/.394/.447 with six homers and 19 doubles before being promoted to Double-A Mississippi.
Freddie Freeman Minor League Highlights: 2009 Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Freeman struggled to adjust to Double-A, posting a .650 OPS before going down with a wrist injury. It turns out, the wrist injury might have been contributing to the then 2nd-best prospect in the organization’s dip in production.
I hurt my wrist and my hand [at the beginning of August], and I’m not even sure how it happened,” Freeman said. “I played through it for about 2½ to 3 weeks, and then I couldn’t even pick up the bat anymore it hurt so bad. I tried to play through it, but I felt the effects of it. I couldn’t pull the ball, and couldn’t drive through anything, so I felt the effects on my average and my body.
Freeman recovered in time to play in the Arizona Fall League but a hyper-extended elbow limited him during the fall. Freeman posted a triple slashline of .267/.353/.400 in the AZFL. Despite struggling through injuries toward the end of 2009, Freeman had established himself as one of the top prospects in baseball. The hype train was off and running.
2010 – Gwinnett (AAA), MLB Debut Atlanta Braves (MLB)
At the age of 20, Freddie Freeman was assigned to AAA-Gwinnett to start the 2010 season. It was time to see how close the big first baseman was to being ready for the big leagues. Freeman did not disappoint. I’ll let Freeman’s 2010 statistics speak for themselves.
Freddie Freeman 2010 AAA-Gwinnett Statistics
- Games: 124
- Plate Appearances: 519
- At-Bats: 461
- Runs: 73
- Doubles: 35
- Triples: 2
- Home Runs: 18
- Runs Batted In: 87
- Stolen Bases: 6
- Walks: 43
- Strikeouts: 84
- Average: .319
- On-Base Percentage: .378
- Slugging Percentage: .521
- OPS: .898
Freddie was a no-brainer for the Braves as a part of the September callups. On September 1st, 2010, Frederick Charles Freeman would debut with the Atlanta Braves at the age of 20.
More on Freddie Freeman
- Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves: High School Statistics
- Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves: Rookie Year (2011)
Also Read:
- All-Time Best Braves by Position
- 8 Most Hated Braves of Past 30 Years
- Atlanta Braves Top 5 Free Agent Signings in Franchise History
- 1995 Atlanta Braves Top 5 Hitters
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